Weekly Reflection and Scripture Tags

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

What is weighing you down today?

Life can feel heavy, burdensome, and at times almost impossible to move forward.

Have you ever felt the pain of worry deep in your soul, so intense it felt like an out-of-body experience? I have been there. There are moments when life feels overwhelming, confusing, and even hopeless. The unknown can lead our thoughts, minds, and hearts into places that feed the darkness within our souls.

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 12:25

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

The Heart: The Storehouse of the Soul

My friend, when was the last time you paused to assess the condition of your heart?
Did you know that your heart is a storage room that feeds your soul?

When Jesus says in Luke 6:45,

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart... for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of,” He is warning us that what we allow to be stored in our hearts will eventually become the fruit of our

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 4:23 NIV

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Words That Wound or Words That Heal

How often do we let frustration spill into reckless words toward our children, loved ones, or friends? Words do not disappear; they lodge in the heart. A person begins to believe these words, and Satan uses those wounds as weapons against their soul.

In my own life, I had to decide: will I remain bound by curses spoken over me, or will I live as a new creation in Christ? For years, Satan used those words to keep me in

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 12:18 NIV

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

The Power Behind the Muscle: When the Tongue Becomes a Weapon or a Blessing

Is your tongue any different from the muscle of your heart or any other part of your body, like your eyes? No. The tongue is a muscle and a tool that God has given us to praise Him. Yet, like everything connected to humanity, Satan tries to corrupt what God intended for good. If allowed, Satan will use the tongue to hurt God rather than glorify Him.
You noticed I said if allowed. It’s

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 18:21 NIV

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

Have you ever made plans and believed your decisions were justified?  Or do you make plans that seem right for reasons that are noble or selfless?  Yet, despite your good or noble reasons for making the decisions it often feels that everything is going against you. The plans you have made are developing differently from what you pictured or anticipated.  As a result, you get frustrated; you prayed, you bargain with God or doubt yourself and sometimes blame others around you.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 16:1 NLT

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

I remember growing up my grandma used to say to my cousins after she disciplined them and they were crying, "I rather you cry now instead of me crying later."  As a child, I did not understand why she would say that to them. However, when I became a parent, I found myself saying the same statement to my son.  I took her statement a step further, I might cry later but I don’t want my tears to be driven by guilt that I did not do my best to bestow values and discipline in his life.

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 19:18 NIV

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Imagine someone you love and care about is walking toward a fire, and they don't see it, but you can clearly see they are entering a road that will lead to their death. You decided I love them so much that I don’t want to disappoint or hurt them in hope that they will turn around or someone else might help them. Perhaps, your warning may not change the person’s path or might cost you their friendship. Do you love them enough to take the risk?

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 27:5-6 NIV

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Heavenly Father God! I come before you in the name of Jesus Christ to present this prayer before your throne. Father God, please allow your Holy Spirit to show me how to speak for those in our society who have been marginalized. Father God, we live in a society where we are consuming and focusing on ourselves.  Father God, we often forget that all we have belongs to you and can be taken away in a split second.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 31:8 NIV

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.

Do you often find yourself offended by others’ opinions, thoughts, and actions? For me, there was a time in my life when the answer would have been a resounding yes, I do get offended often by others. Through many mistakes and trials in my life, Jesus through the Holy Spirit has allowed me to grow in this area.  There was a time in my life, pleasing people and people liking me was highly important for my self-esteem and self-worth. I struggled with this burden for many years in my spiritual journey. I

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 19:11-NIV

An honest witness will not lie, but a false witness lies with every breath.

Wow this scripture is convicting!  We live in a society where lies are very common.  I sometime hear the saying everybody lies.  Or this is just a small lie.  Or if my lie will save lives, it’s not wrong.  Jesus calls lies Satan’s native language (John 8:44).  1 John 2:21 reminds us there is no lie in truth.  What kind of witness are you in this world?  Are you a witness for Satan’s kingdom?  Or are you a witness of the truth/Holy Spirit?

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An honest witness will not lie, but a false witness lies with every breath.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 14:5-TCJSB